losartan-potassium and Antiphospholipid-Syndrome

Thromboembolic complications are the second leading cause of death in cancer patients. In contrast to the large body of literature on venous thromboembolism (VTE), relatively few reports have focused on the pathogenesis, incidence, management and outcomes of arterial thromboembolic events in patients with malignancy. The purpose of this article is to review the current literature on the etiology, mechanisms, and prognosis of arterial thromboembolic events in cancer patients and outline appropriate screening and management guidelines that may help lower the rates of morbidity and mortality related to these events.

Topics: Algorithms; Amyloidosis; Antineoplastic Agents; Antiphospholipid Syndrome; Erythropoietin; Female; Humans; Ischemia; Male; Myeloproliferative Disorders; Neoplasms; Neurofibromatosis 1; Peripheral Arterial Disease; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma; Prognosis; Radiation Injuries; Recombinant Proteins; Risk Factors; Thromboembolism; Thrombophilia; Transfusion Reaction

Vascular access complications are a continuing source of hospitalization and morbidity in chronic dialysis patients. Several factors have been identified that are associated with complications in patients with native vein and prosthetic bridge arteriovenous graft fistulas. Early failure of native vein arteriovenous fistulas most consistently are related to small blood vessels. It remains unclear whether other comorbid factors play a role in complications of this fistula type. Prosthetic bridge fistulas are frequently placed in the United States and are associated with frequent complications. Factors most consistently associated with higher complication rates are diabetes mellitus, older age, and black race. Antiphospholipid antibody-associated syndromes and erythropoietin therapy have also been suggested as contributing factors. In addition, elevated lipoprotein(a) and hypoalbuminemia have been found to be associated with an increase of prosthetic graft thrombosis in white and Hispanic dialysis patients. This information strongly suggests that fistula complications are multifactorial. An improved understanding of the mechanisms of these associations may aid in the delineation of the pathogenesis and an improvement in the outcome of this important problem.

Topics: Aging; Antiphospholipid Syndrome; Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical; Black People; Blood Vessel Prosthesis; Catheters, Indwelling; Comorbidity; Diabetes Complications; Equipment Failure; Erythropoietin; Humans; Renal Dialysis